Method for HLA typing

ABSTRACT

A method for the identification of DNA sequence elements in complex and highly variable sequences is described. The method consists of identifying a short sequence element of several DNA bases (2-6 bases) at a given position in the genome simultaneously on all parental alleles. The method allows differentiating mini-haplotypes on different alleles in one analysis. The method consists of carrying out an enzymatic primer extension reaction with a combination of extension primers (pool of primers) and analysing the products by mass spectrometry. The pool of primers is assembled in such a way that the primer extension product allows unambiguous identification of both the primer of the pool that was extended and the base that was added. The method is of great utility for DNA sequences harbouring many SNPs close to each other with many possible haplotypes. Such sequences are known in the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). This method is particularly well suited for DNA-based HLA typing and in combination with a suitable selection of sites tested, it is superior in ease of operation to conventional HLA typing methods. We have identified sets of these assays for HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB 1 that allow unambiguous four-digit HLA of each of these genes with between 11 and 28 queried markers.

This application is a National Stage application of PCT/IB2004/004115, filed Nov. 26, 2004, which claims priority from European patent application EP 03292952.3, filed Nov. 27, 2003. The entire contents of each of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a method for HLA typing by the unambiguous determination of short DNA sequence elements (2-6 bases) at a given position simultaneously on both parental alleles at a selected number of positions in HLA genes, comprised of the steps for each position of a) hybridising a combination of oligonucleotides (primers) complementary to all known sequence variants to a DNA strand upstream of a given position; b) carrying out a primer extension reaction with at least one of the four dNTP substrates substituted by a terminating analog; c) analysing the products by mass spectrometry, with the resulting masses allowing unambiguous identification of the used primers and the added bases. This method is particularly well suited for DNA-based HLA typing and in combination with a suitable selection of sites tested, it is superior in ease of operation to conventional HLA typing methods.

The most important of the genome projects, the complete sequence of the human genome, is finished. This project reveals the complete sequence of the 3 billion bases and the relative positions of all estimated 30,000 genes in this genome. Having this sequence opens unlimited possibilities for the elucidation of gene function and interaction of different genes. In recent years a systematic effort (SNP consortium) has been underway to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) throughout the human genome and so far several million of these differences between different human beings have been identified (dbSNP contained 5.5 million SNPs in October 2003).

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI) has revolutionized the mass spectrometric analysis of biomolecules (Karas, M. & Hillenkamp, F. Anal. Chem. 60, 2299-2301 (1988)). The field of DNA analysis by mass spectrometry was recently extensively reviewed by Tost and Gut (Mass Spectrometry Reviews, 21, 388-418 (2002)) and Sauer and Gut (Journal of Chromatography B, 782, 73-87, (2002)). MALDI has been applied to the analysis of DNA in variations that range from the analysis of PCR products to approaches using allele-specific termination to single nucleotide primer extension reactions and sequencing (Liu, Y. -H., et al. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 9, 735-743 (1995); Ch'ang, L. -Y., et al. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 9, 772-774 (1995); Little, D. P., et al. J. Mol. Med. 75, 745-750 (1997); Haff, L. & Smirnov, I. P. Genome Res. 7, 378-388 (1997), Fei, Z., Ono, T. & Smith, L. M. Nucleic Acids Res. 26, 2827-2828 (1998); Ross, P., Hall, L., Smirnov, I. & Haff, L. Nature Biotech. 16, 1347-1351 (1998); Ross, P. L., Lee, K. & Belgrader, P. Anal. Chem. 69, 4197-4202 (1997); Griffin, T. J., Tang, W. & Smith, L. M. Nature Biotech. 15, 1368-1372 (1997); Köster, H., Higgins, G. S & Little, D. P. U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,031). These methods are used to genotype previously identified mutations, SNPs, or insertion/deletions (indels). Spin column purification and/or magnetic bead technology, reversed-phase purification, or ion-exchange resins are frequently applied prior to mass spectrometric analysis.

The GOOD assay (IG Gut et S. Beck: U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,812; IG Gut et al: U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,710) is a method for SNP genotyping that uses MALDI mass spectrometry for detection (Sauer et al. 28, e13 and e100 (2000)). Allele-distinction is based on primer extension. In order to make products more amenable to MALDI analysis a substantial part of the primer is removed prior to mass spectrometric analysis. A further element that is included is charge tagging. This means that the final product is conditioned such that it carries either a single positive or a single negative charge. Generally this is achieved by alkylation of a phosphorothioate backbone and in some instances including a quaternary ammonium group to the penultimate base of the primer. The attachment of the quaternary ammonium group gives options for the design of multiplexes—individual SNPs can be moved up or down in the mass spectrum to achieve optimal resolution and separation.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of humans is a cluster of genes on chromosome 6p21. It is of greatest importance as many diseases show association with genes in this region of the genome. All human leukocyte antigen (HLA) coding genes are found in the MHC. The HLA genes are highly variable and implicated in tissue transplantation, immunity and autoimmune disease such as diabetes, psoriasis, lupus, Crohn's disease, colitis, arthritis, and others. The HLA class I genes are HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, . . . The HLA class II genes are HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, HLA-DP, . . .

HLA typing methods differ dramatically in their approaches. Serological tests can be carried out but have only limited resolution. In the last 15 years the DNA sequence of the MHC has been extensively studied and high resolution typing now makes use of a wealth of DNA sequence information. Methods for DNA based HLA typing range from SSA (sequence specific amplification) where combinations of primers that are specific for different alleles are used to carry out PCR (U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,526). Primers are combined in a way that the sizing of the PCR products allows unambiguous assignment of present base combinations. Multiple combinations are used to identify HLA types. The procedure works its way through a tree of combinations starting with a grouping into rough classes from where on further tests are carried out with specific reagents to subdivide in a class. This method is also known as SSP (sequence specific primers). An alternative method is termed SSOP (sequence specific oligonucleotide probes; U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,707). Here a locus specific PCR is carried out followed by hybridisation with sequence specific oligonucleotide probes. As sequencing technology (and in particular the software for sequence calling) has dramatically improved over the last decade it now is also possible to gain a good degree of identification of HLA types by sequencing (WO 98/35059). Effectively a locus-specific PCR product is sequenced. Problems that arise here are that heterozygous individuals occasionally give rise to ambiguous haplotype calls that can not be resolved (Robinson, J.; Waller, M. J.; Marsh, St. G. E.: “Exon Identities and Ambiguous Typing Combinations”; IMGT/HLA Database; October 2003). The inclusion of allele-specific PCR helps achieve certainty. Resolution requires multiple products per locus to be generated and sequenced. However, as sequencing results can be very convoluted the interpretation in absence of allele-specific PCR can be cumbersome. All together the sequence-based typing requires many iterations in application. Reference strand mediated conformation analysis (RSCA) is a method used to study samples that potentially have a previously unknown sequence in their HLA (Correl et al., Tissue Antigens 56, 82-86, 2000). For a recent review for the reasoning of HLA typing as well as methodological advances see Petersdorf et al. (Tissue Antigens, 61, 1-11, 2003).

The inventors have thus set themselves the task of providing an easy method for the simultaneous capture of all parental mini-haplotypes in highly polymorphic regions of genomes. The procedure has to be executable on a cost-effective genotyping platform. The method should be particularly applicable for HLA typing. It is an aim to resolve frequent and rare HLA alleles as well as possible.

The object of the present invention is a method for HLA typing by the unambiguous determination of short DNA sequence elements (2-6 bases) simultaneously on both parental alleles at a selected number of positions in HLA genes, comprised of the steps for each position of a) hybridising a combination of oligonucleotides (primer pool) complementary to all known sequence variants to a DNA strand upstream of a given position; b) carrying out a primer extension reaction with at least one of the four dNTP substrates substituted by a terminating analog; c) analysing the products by mass spectrometry, with the resulting masses allowing unambiguous identification of the used primers and the added bases.

In the present invention:

-   -   “HLA” means the human leukocyte antigen locus on chromosome         6p21, consisting of HLA genes (HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DRB1, .         . . ) that are used to determine the degree of matching, for         example, between a recipient and a donor of a tissue graft.     -   “HLA typing” means the identification of a known HLA allele of a         given locus (HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DRB1, . . . ).     -   “HLA allele” means a nucleotide sequence within a locus on one         of the two parental chromosomes.     -   “HLA-A” means the DNA sequence of exons 2 and 3 of the HLA-A         gene.     -   “HLA-B” means the DNA sequence of exons 2 and 3 of the HLA-B         gene.     -   “HLA-DRB1” means the DNA sequence of exon 2 of the HLA-DRB1         gene.     -   “Polymorphism” means individual positions in a DNA sequence that         exist in different variants.     -   “Haplotype” means the DNA sequence of one of the two alleles in         a give region of the genome.     -   “Mini-haplotype” means 2-6 contiguous bases on one parental         allele.     -   “Primer pools” or “pools of primers” means sets of primers that         are used in one primer extension reaction. For each known HLA         allele at least one primer is in the pool that is completely         complementary in sequence. This assures perfect annealing.         Mismatches that are more than 4 bases from the 3′ end of the         primer do not affect the results of the GOOD assay, as all of         those bases are removed by 5′ phosphodiesterase after the primer         extension reaction. Primers of the pool containing mismatches in         the last few bases are not extended by the DNA polymerase and         thus not observable.     -   “MALDI mass spectrometer” means a mass spectrometer that uses         matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization for the         volatilisation of a sample and time-of-flight analysis for mass         separation.     -   “Subgroup” means alleles, which are identical after the         mini-haplotyping of the first set of selected positions. For the         high resolution typing we resolve subgroups generated with 10         mini-haplotyping reactions. The criteria for resolving subgroups         are: a) they still contain alleles with different two-digit         types, b) subgroups with more than four alleles, and c)         subgroups with frequent alleles (see list below).

Here we show a methodology for the determination of sequence motifs of 2-6 bases in very polymorphic regions of genomes. In principle this methods equates to the determination of mini-haplotypes of 2-6 bases. The individual parental mini-haplotypes can be determined in one reaction without ambiguities. This methodology is applied to a chosen set of positions for HLA typing of HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1. The sets disclosed here have different purposes. First sets of 19, 19, and 10 positions are suggested to distinguish a maximum of HLA alleles in HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1, respectively, with respect to differentiating alleles that are frequent in the general population from ones that are rare. The frequent alleles that were screened for are A*0101, A*0201, A*0301, A*2301, A*2402, A*2902, A*3001 and A*3002 for HLA-A, B*0702, B*0801, B*1302, B*1501, B*1801, B*3501, B*3503, B*4001, B*4402, B*4403, B*5101 and B*5701 for HLA-B, and DRB1*0101, DRB1*0301, DRB1*0401, DRB1*0701, DRB1*1101, DRB1*1104, DRB1*1302 and DRB1*1501 for HLA-DRB1. This set of markers provides unambiguous identification of frequent HLA alleles with 93.4-100% certainty in HLA-A, 97.6-100% in HLA-B, and 97.2-100% in HLA-DRB1.

A second set of 10 positions each in HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1, respectively are described that provide a maximum number of subgroups, that can then be further resolved by the addition of a set of subgroup specific positions. Again the ten positions in each locus were chosen on the basis of providing best distinction between the frequent HLA alleles listed above from the rest of the HLA alleles (rare). This resulted in groups containing 2-30 HLA alleles depending on the locus. Within each group a number of positions can be tested to provide resolution between the HLA alleles within the group. The number of positions that have to be additionally analysed range from 1-25 in order to achieve 4-digit resolution. With this technology HLA typing can be carried out at a substantially reduced cost with a proven high-throughput detection platform (MALDI mass spectrometry).

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, the DNA strand of step a) is produced by a DNA replication procedure such as PCR or rolling circle replication.

A set of locus-specific PCR reactions for the selective amplification of each locus is described by the International Histocompatibility Working Group, Technical Manuals (www.ihwg.org/tmanual/Tmcontents.htm).

In a very preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, a combination of primers (pools of primers) contains slightly varying sequences so that all known sequences of the HLA alleles are accommodated by a perfectly matching primer. The pool of primers guarantees that at least one primer is perfectly matched. The hybridised oligonucleotides of the primer pool are extended onto a polymorphic position. A requirement is that the added base together with the base composition of the primer gives a unique mass. The detection of this mass in the mass spectrometric profile indicates the presence of a sequence containing both the complementary sequence of the primer and the added base. In order to make all primers of a primer pool distinguishable by mass it is possible to add different mass shifting agents to the primers. The easiest way to accomplish this is by using charge/mass tagging technology such as is used in the GOOD assay. The penultimate base from the 3′ end of the primer is amino-modified and used to add tags via NHS-ester chemistry. The pools of primers of course contain primers that sometimes differ by as little as one base. Sequences identical in base content can still be distinguished by the suitable selection of mass tags. Also, we have found that a primer carrying a mismatch in the last eight bases from the 3′ end even if it anneals is not extended by the polymerase and thus screened out. This might be due to insufficient hybridisation or a resistance of the DNA polymerase to attach or extend when a mismatch is present. We thus make use of two effects for our mini-haplotyping: 1) allele-specific hybridisation and 2) allele-specific primer extension. Mismatches that are further than four bases away from the 3′ end of the extension primer do not result in increased complexity of the mass spectra as they are removed in the 5′ phosphodiesterase digestion step of the GOOD assay.

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, mass shifting tags are added to the individual primers sequences of a primer pool to make them uniquely distinguishable once the terminating base is added.

In another preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, termination products for know alleles are generated by extending the perfectly hybridised primer with a combination of dNTPs and ddNTPs or analogues thereof with a DNA polymerase to generate specific termination products to make them uniquely distinguishable by their mass.

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, the GOOD assay is used. It typically applies single base primer extension, thus only the four terminating bases (ddNTPs) or synthetic analogues with the same qualities in terms of DNA polymerase tolerance are used for primer extension. α-S-ddNTPs are very suitable analogues.

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, mass spectrometry, in particular MALDI or ESI mass spectrometry is used for analysis of the masses of products.

For HLA typing a set of said mini-haplotyping assays has to be carried out to achieve sufficient information content.

For HLA typing of HLA-A the preferred set of assays are those of positions 98, 414, 539, 282, 571, 368, 256, 292, 238, 270, 453, 527, 502, 81, 268, 559, 92, 123 and 396 (according to the numbering of the HLA-A gene starting at cDNA sequence position 1 of exon 1; see FIG. 1). This results in medium resolution HLA typing. The input criteria for the selection are the frequency of HLA alleles. Some HLA types are identified unambiguously.

For HLA typing of HLA-B accordingly the following positions are preferably analysed by mini-haplotyping assays to achieve medium resolution: 539, 419, 559, 412, 272, 362, 302, 363, 206, 369, 259, 97, 583, 292, 222, 527, 418, 435 and 571 (according to the numbering of the HLA-B gene starting at cDNA sequence position 1 of exon 1; see FIG. 2).

For HLA typing of HLA-DRB1 accordingly the following positions are preferably analysed by mini-haplotyping to achieve medium resolution: 125, 196, 197, 227, 261, 286, 299, 308, 341 and 345 (according to the numbering of the HLA-DRB1 gene starting at cDNA sequence position 1 of exon 1; see FIG. 3).

In a preferred embodiment for high resolution HLA typing of HLA-A positions 98, 414, 539, 282, 571, 368, 256, 292, 238 and 270 (according to the numbering of the HLA-A gene starting at cDNA sequence position 1 of exon 1; see FIG. 4) are used for mini-haplotyping to generate sub-groups (HLA-A_A, HLA-A_B, HLA-A_C, HLA-A_D, HLA-A_E, HLA-A_F, HLA-A_G, HLA-A_H, HLA-A_I, HLA-A_J, HLA-A_K, HLA-A_L, HLA-A_M, HLA-A_N, and HLA-A_O; see Table I).

Positions 224, 268, 376, 502, 561 and 616 are preferably analysed to resolve subgroup HLA-A_A (sequences identical over exons 2 and 3 for alleles A*29010101 and A*29010102); positions 126 and 526 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_B; positions 81, 90, 92, 212, 214, 257, 265, 299, 302, 404, 420, 427, 453, 485, 489 and 502 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_C (sequences identical over exons 2 and 3 for alleles A*24020101, A*24020102L, A*240203, A*2409N and A*2411N); positions 160, 200, 362 and 524 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_D; positions 180, 299, 301, 302, 346, 418, 453, 517, 524, 526, 527, 557, 559 and 560 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_E; positions 299, 301, 302, 341 and 583 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_F; positions 127, 341, 399, 480, 502, 503, 524, 526, 527, 553, 559, 560 and 565 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_G; positions 228, 233, 463, 519, 530 and 583 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_H; positions 102, 275, 317, 362, 418, 419, 497, 524, 555, 595 and 618 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_I (sequences identical over exons 2 and 3 for alleles A*680102 and A*6811N); positions 92, 331, 453, 524, 559, 560 and 564 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_J; positions 78, 81, 123, 125, 142, 144, 194, 268, 294, 324, 355, 362, 396, 403, 419, 453, 456, 477, 493, 517, 524, 526, 527, 559 and 560 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_K (sequences identical over exons 2 and 3 for alleles A*02010101, A*02010102, A*020108, A*0209, A*0243N and A*0266); positions 113, 299, 301, 302, 308, 311, 523, 524 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_L; positions 171, 363, 498 and 559 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_M; positions 376, 426, 527, 555, 557 and 595 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_N; position 299 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_O.

TABLE I Subgroups of Positions to resolve HLA-A Alleles of Subgroups Subgroups HLA-A_A A*29010101, A*29010102, A*290201, A*290202, 224, 268, 376, 502, 561, A*2904, A*2906, A*2908N, A*2909 616 HLA-A_B A*3002, A*3009, A*3012 126, 526 HLA-A_C A*24020101, A*24020102L, A*240202, A*240203, 81, 90, 92, 212, 214, 257, A*240204, A*2404, A*2405, A*2408, A*2409N, 265, 299, 302, 404, 420, A*2411N, A*2420, A*2421, A*2425, A*2426, A*2427, 427, 453, 485, 485, 489, A*2429, A*2432, A*2435, A*2436N, A*2437, A*2438, 502 A*2439 HLA-A_D A*0206, A*0214, A*0221, A*0251, A*0257 160, 200, 362, 524 HLA-A_E A*250101, A*250102, A*2601, A*2604, A*2605, 180, 299, 301, 302, 346, A*2609, A*2610, A*2611N, A*2612, A*2614, A*2615, 418, 453, 517, 524, 526, A*2617, A*2618, A*6603 527, 557, 559, 560 HLA-A_F A*2502, A*2613, A*6601, A*6602, A*6604 299, 301, 302, 341, 583 HLA-A_G A*110101, A*110102, A*1102, A*1103, A*1104, 127, 341, 399, 480, 502, A*1105, A*1107, A*1109, A*1112, A*1113, A*1114, 503, 524, 526, 527, 553, A*1115 559, 560, 565 HLA-A_H A*3301, A*330301, A*330302, A*3304, A*3305, 228, 233, 463, 519, 530, A*3306, A*3307 583 HLA-A_I A*680101, A*680102, A*680103, A*6807, A*6811N, 102, 275, 317, 362, 418, A*6812, A*6816, A*6817, A*6819, A*6821, A*6822, 419, 497, 524, 555, 595, A*6823, A*6824 618 HLA-A_J A*2301, A*2303, A*2305, A*2306, A*2307N, 92, 331, 453, 524, 556, A*2308N, A*2310, A*2413 560, 564 HLA-A_K A*02010101, A*02010102, A*020102, A*020103, 78, 81, 123, 125, 142, A*020104, A*020105, A*020106, A*020107, 144, 194, 268, 294, 324, A*020108, A*020109, A*0204, A*0209, A*0216, 355, 362, 396, 403, 419, A*0224, A*0225, A*0226, A*0229, A*0230, A*0231, 453, 419, 453, 456, 477, A*0232N, 0A*0240, A*0242, A*0243N, A*0258, 493, 517, 524, 526, 527, A*0259, A*0260, A*0264, A*0266, A*0267, A*0253N 559, 560 HLA-A_L A*3201, A*3203, A*3206, A*7401, A*7402, A*7403, 113, 299, 301, 302, 308, A*7408, A*7409 311, 523, 524 HLA-A_M A*010101, A*010102, A*0103, A*0104N, A*0108, 171, 363, 498, 559 A*0109 HLA-A_N A*03010101, A*03010102, A*0303N, A*0304, A*0305, 376, 426, 527, 555, 557, A*0306, A*0307, A*0311N 595 HLA-A_O A*2504, A*2608 299

In a preferred embodiment for high resolution, HLA typing of HLA-B positions 539, 419, 559, 412, 272, 362, 302, 363, 206 and 369 (according to the numbering of the HLA-B gene starting at cDNA sequence position 1 of exon 1; see FIG. 5) are used for mini-haplotyping to generate sub-groups (HLA-B_A, HLA-B_B, HLA-B_C, HLA-B_D, HLA-B_E, HLA-B_F, HLA-B_G, HLA-B_H, HLA-B_I, HLA-B_J, HLA-B_K, HLA-B_L, HLA-B_M, HLA-B_N, HLA-B_O, HLA-B_P, HLA-B_Q, HLA-B_R, HLA-B_S, HLA-B_T, HLA-B_U, HLA-B_V, HLA-B_W, HLA-B_X, HLA-B_Y, HLA-B_Z, HLA-B_AA, HLA-B_AB and HLA-B_AC; see Table II).

Positions 259, 341 and 473 are preferably analyzed to resolve subgroup HLA-B_A (sequences identical over exons 2 and 3 for alleles B*0801 and B*0819N); positions 106, 144, 222, 259, 273, 311, 313, 418, 445, 493, 528 and 540 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_B (sequences identical over exons 2 and 3 for alleles B*44020101, B*44020102, B*4419N and B*4427); positions 319, 416, 545 and 572 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_C; positions 106, 131, 165, 215, 243, 277, 292, 322, 481, 582, 603 and 616 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_D; positions 106, 146, 165, 181, 238, 259, 263, 292, 328.1/329 (insert for B*1579N), 379, 435, 453, 463, 485, 526, 571, 572 and 583 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_E (sequences identical over exons 2 and 3 for alleles B*15010101 and B*15010102); positions 142, 171, 255, 257, 395, 430, 544, 566 and 572 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_F; positions 117, 247, 248, 277, 345, 418, 489 and 527 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_G (sequences identical over exons 2 and 3 for alleles B*270502, B*270504 and B*2713); positions 134, 141, 200, 213, 259, 304 and 527 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_H; positions 83, 141, 211, 222, 242, 322, 404, 414, 435, 463, 502, 527, 544, 571, 572 and 583 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_I (sequences identical over exons 2 and for alleles B*510101, B*510105, B*5111N, B*5130 and B*5132); positions 103, 142, 222, 243, 259, 292, 477, 486 and 499 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_J (sequences identical over exons 2 and 3 for alleles B*400101 and B*400102); positions 103, 259, 292, 295, 527 and 583 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_K (sequences identical over exons 2 and 3 for alleles B*180101 and B*1817N); positions 320 and 500 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_L; positions 311, 527 and 583 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_M; positions 119, 292, 259, 319, 425, 527, 546 and 583 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_N (sequences identical over exons 2 and 3 for alleles B*350101, B*3540N and B*3542); positions 97, 142, 245 and 527 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_0; positions 97 and 175 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_P; positions

TABLE II Subgroups of Positions to resolve HLA-B Alleles of the subgroup Subgroups HLA-B_A B*0801, B*0808N, B*0810, B*0818, B*0819N 259, 341, 473 HLA-B_B B*44020101, B*44020102S, B*440202, B*440203, 106, 144, 222, 259, 273 B*4405, B*4411, B*4412, B*4419N, B*4422, B*4423N, 311, 313, 418 445, 493, B*4424, B*4425, B*4427, B*4433, B*4434, B*4435 528, 540 HLA-B_C B*4415, B*4501, B*4503, B*4504, B*4505 319, 416, 545, 572 HLA-B_D B*070201, B*070202, B*070203, B*070204, B*0703, 106, 131, 165, 215, 243, B*0716, B*0721, B*0722, B*0723, B*0729, B*0730, 277, 292, 322, 481, 582, B*0733, B*0735 603, 616 HLA-B_E B*15010101, B*15010102, B*150102, B*150103, 106, 146, 165, 181, 238, B*150104, B*1512, B*1514, B*1515, B*1519, B*1528, 259, 263, 292, B*1533, B*1534, B*1538, B*1560, B*1570, B*1571, 328.1/329, 379, 435, B*1575, B*1578, B*1579N, B*1581, B*1582 453, 463, 485, 526, 571, 572, 583 HLA-B_F B*440301, B*4413, B*4426, B*4429, B*4430, B*4432, 142, 171, 255, 257, 395, B*4436, B*4437, B*4438, B*4439 430, 544, 566, 572 HLA-B_G B*2703, B*270502, B*270503, B*270504, B*270505, 117, 247, 248, 277, 345, B*270506, B*2709, B*2710, B*2713, B*2716, B*2717 418, 489, 527 HLA-B_H B*5107, B*520101, B*520102, B*520103, B*520104, 134, 141, 200, 213, 259, B*5203, B*5204, B*5205 304, 527 HLA-B_I B*510101, B*510102, B*510103, B*510104, B*510105, 83, 141, 211, 222, 242, B*510201, B*510202, B*5103, B*5109, B*5111N, 322, 404, 414, 435, 463, B*5112, B*5114, B*5118, B*5119, B*5123, B*5124, 502, 527, 544, 571, 572, B*5126, B*5127N, B*5128, B*5130, B*5132, B*5133 583 HLA-B_J B*400101, B*400102, B*400103, B*4010, B*4011, 103, 142, 222, 243, 259, B*401401, B*401402, B*401403, B*4022N, B*4025, 292, 477, 486, 499 B*4043 HLA-B_K B*180101, B*180102, B*1803, B*1804, B*1805, 103, 259, 292, 295, 527, B*1811, B*1812, B*1815, B*1817N 583 HLA-B_L B*570101, B*5706, B*5708 320, 500 HLA-B_M B*3527, B*5301, B*5302, B*5306, B*5308 311, 527, 583 HLA-B_N B*350101, B*350102, B*3507, B*3510, B*3511, 119, 292, 259, 319, 425, B*3521, B*3524, B*3529, B*3540N, B*3541, B*3542, 527, 546, 583 B*5305 HLA-B_O B*5501, B*5502, B*5505, B*5510, B*5516 97, 142, 245, 527 HLA-B_P B*5401, B*5402, B*5507 97, 175 HLA-B_Q B*3910, B*670101, B*670102 246, 277 HLA-B_R B*3803, B*390201, B*390202, B*3913, B*3923 246, 292, 311, 503 HLA-B_S B*3801, B*380201, B*380202, B*3804, B*3805, B*3809 103, 261, 309, 311, 474 HLA-B_T B*390101, B*390103, B*390104, B*3904, B*3905, 97, 103, 106, 243, 259, B*3912, B*3922, B*3925N, B*3926 292, 404, 524 HLA-B_U B*3503, B*3513, B*3536 259, 320 HLA-B_V B*0734, B*5504 106 HLA-B_W B*4047, B*4431 97 HLA-B_X B*4002, B*4027, B*4029, B*4035, B*4040, B*4045 97, 106, 257, 418, 463 HLA-B_Y B*400104, B*4004 106 HLA-B_Z B*4012, B*4046, B*4803 106, 144 HLA-B_AA B*2703, B*270502, B*270503, B*270504, B*270505, 117, 247, 248, 283, 345, B*270506, B*2709, B*2710, B*2713, B*2716, B*2717 418, 489, 527 HLA-B_AB B*1562, B*4802 106 HLA-B_AC B*1302, B*1308 548

246 and 277 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_Q; positions 246, 292, 311 and 503 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_R; positions 103, 261, 309, 311 and 474 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_S; positions 97, 103, 106, 243, 259, 292, 404 and 524 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_T (sequences identical over exons 2 and 3 for alleles B*390101 and B*390103); positions 259 and 320 to resolve subgroup HLA-B_U; position 106 to resolve HLA-B_V; positions 97 to resolve HLA-B_W; positions 97, 106, 257, 418 and 463 to resolve HLA-B_X; position 106 to resolve HLA-B_Y; positions 106 and 144 to resolve HLA-B_Z; positions 117, 247, 248, 283, 345, 418, 489, and 527 to resolve HLA-B_AA; positions 106 to resolve HLA-B_AB; positions 548 to resolve HLA-B_AC.

In a preferred embodiment, the method for HLA typing resolves groups A-P of HLA-DRB1.

For high resolution, HLA typing of HLA-DRB1 positions are: 125, 196, 197, 227, 261, 286, 299, 308, 341 and 345 (according to the numbering of the HLA-DRB1 gene starting at DNA sequence position 1 of exon 1; see FIG. 6) are used for mini-haplotyping to generate sub-groups (HLA-DRB1_A, HLA-DRB1_B, HLA-DRB1_C, HLA-DRB1_D, HLA-DRB1_E, HLA-DRB1_F, HLA-DRB1_G, HLA-DRB1_H, HLA-DRB1_I, HLA-DRB1_J, HLA-DRB1_K, HLA-DRB1_L, HLA-DRB1_M, HLA-DRB1_N, HLA-DRB1_O, HLA-DRB1_P; see Table III).

In a very preferred embodiment, positions 123, 174, 250, 278 and 317 are analysed to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB1_A; positions 192, 203, 256 and 259 to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB1_B; 256, 260, 317 and 351 to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB1_C; positions 155, 204, 233, 239, 256, 304, 357 and 366 to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB1_D; positions 122, 171, 257 and 317 to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB1_E; positions 164, 167, 171, 230, 235, 306, 317, 321 and 337 to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB1_F; positions 164, 257, 266 and 303 to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB1_G; positions 164, 181, 188, 220, 229, 256, 266, 317 and 318 to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB1_H; position 257 to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB1_I; positions 181, 239 and 357 to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB1_J; positions 122, 144, 239, 303, 317, 318 and 321 to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB1_K (sequences identical over exons 2 and 3 for alleles DRB1*110101 and DRB1*110102); positions 118, 161, 257, 260, 318 and 321 to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB1_L; positions 165, 257, 293 and 303 to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB 1_M (sequences identical over exons 2 and 3 for alleles DRB1*120101 and DRB1*1206); positions 177, 240, 256, 257 and 357 to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB1_N; positions 150 175, 230, 236 and 321 to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB1_O (sequences identical over exons 2 and 3 for alleles DRB1*150101 and DRB1*1513); positions 115, 220 and 317 to resolve subgroup HLA-DRB1_P.

Another object of the invention is a kit to carry out the procedure. It consists of pooled combinations of primers. The primers that are used in the pools for HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 and the masses of the genotyping products are listed in Tables IV, V, and VI respectively. CT refers to the mass shifting mass tag that is attached to that primer of the pool.

Another object of the invention is the use of the method of the invention for screening of tissue donors.

In a preferred embodiment, the use is for bone marrow donors in registries for screening of frequent and rare HLA types.

Still another object of the invention is the use of the primers represented in Table IV, V and VI to carry out HLA typing.

TABLE III Subgroups of Positions to resolve HLA-DRB1 Alleles of Subgroups Subgroups HLA- DRB1*070101, DRB1*070102, DRB1*0703, DRB1*0704, 123, 174, 250, 317 DRB1_A DRB1*0705, DRB1*0707 HLA- DRB1*040101, DRB1*040102, DRB1*0409, DRB1*0426, 192, 203, 256, 259 DRB1_B DRB1*0433 HLA- DRB1*0404, DRB1*0410, DRB1*0423, DRB1*0440, 256, 260, 317, 351. DRB1_C DRB1*0444 HLA- DRB1*040501, DRB1*040502, DRB1*040503, 155, 204, 233, 239, DRB1_D DRB1*040504, DRB1*0408, DRB1*0429, DRB1*0430, 256, 304, 357, 366 DRB1*0445, DRB1*0448 HLA- DRB1*1402, DRB1*1409, DRB1*1413, DRB1*1446, 122, 171, 257, 317 DRB1_E DRB1*1447, DRB1*1448 HLA- DRB1*130101, DRB1*130102, DRB1*130103, 164, 167, 171, 230, DRB1_F DRB1*1315, DRB1*1327, 235, 306, 317, 321, 337 HLA- DRB1*130201, DRB1*130202, DRB1*1331, DRB1*1339, 164, 257, 266, 303 DRB1_G DRB1*1341 HLA- DRB1*030101, DRB1*030102, DRB1*0307, DRB1*0312, 164, 181, 188, 220, DRB1_H DRB1*0313, DRB1*0315, DRB1*0316, DRB1*0318, 229, 256, 266, 317, DRB1*0322, DRB1*0323 318 HLA- DRB1*1137, DRB1*1425 257 DRB1_I HLA- DRB1*110401, DRB1*110402, DRB1*1143, DRB1*1146 181, 239, 357 DRB1_J HLA- DRB1*110101, DRB1*110102, DRB1*110103, 122, 144, 239, 303, DRB1_K DRB1*110104, DRB1*110105, DRB1*112701, 317, 318, 321 DRB1*112702, DRB1*1130, DRB1*1139 HLA- DRB1*1117, DRB1*140101, DRB1*140102, DRB1*1408, 118, 161, 257, 260, DRB1_L DRB1*1426, DRB1*1438, DRB1*1439 318, 321 HLA- DRB1*120101, DRB1*120102, DRB1*1206, DRB1*1207, 165, 257, 293, 303 DRB1_M DRB1*1208, DRB1*1209 HLA- DRB1*080101, DRB1*080102, DRB1*080201, 177, 240, 256, 257, DRB1_N DRB1*080202, DRB1*080203, DRB1*0807, DRB1*0811 357 HLA- DRB1*150101, DRB1*150103, DRB1*150105, 150 175, 230, 236, DRB1_O DRB1*1503, DRB1*1506, DRB1*1509, DRB1*1513 321 HLA- DRB1*010101, DRB1*0105, DRB1*0107, DRB1*0111 115, 220, 317 DRB1_P

TABLE IV Primer No. Name Sequence CT Masses A C G T 1 HLAA_811_1f20 TGCTCGCCCCCAGGCTCCspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1098.1 1425.1 1401.3 — — 2 HLAA_812_1f20 TGCTCGCCCCCAGGCTCTspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1113.1 — 1416.3 1452.4 — 3 HLAA_921_1f20 AGGCTCCCACTCCATGAGspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1129.1 1456.4 — — — 4 HLAA_922_1f20 AGGCTCCCAMTCCATGAGspG{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1169.1 1496.4 — 1512.4 — 5 HLAA_923_1f20 AGGCTCTCASTCCATGAGspG{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1169.1 1496.4 — 1512.4 — 6 HLAA_981_1f20 CCACTCCATGAGGTATTTspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1113.1 — 1416.3 — — 7 HLAA_982_1f20 CCAGTCCATGAGGTATTTspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1104.1 1431.4 1407.3 — 1422.3 8 HLAA_1231_2r20 GCGATGAAGCGGGGCTCspCspT{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1510.5 — — 1853.8 — 9 HLAA_1232_2r20 GCGATGAAGCGGGGCTCspTspC{circumflex over ( )}spC −28 1380.4 1707.7 — — — 10 HLAA_1233_2r20 GCGATGAAGCGGGGCTTspCspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1408.4 — — 1751.6 — 11 HLAA_1234_2r20 GMGATGAAGCGGGGCTCspCspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1393.4 1720.7 — 1736.7 — 12 HLAA_2381_2r20 CTSGTCCCAATACTCCGspGspA{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1497.4 — 1800.6 — — 13 HLAA_2382_2r20 CYCGTCCCAATACTCCGspGspA{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1497.4 — 1800.6 — — 14 HLAA_2383_2r20 CTCGTCCCAATACTCCGspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1488.4 — 1791.6 — 1806.4 15 HLAA_2384_2r20 CTSGTCCCAATACTCAGspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1473.4 — 1776.6 — — 16 HLAA_2385_2r20 CYGGTCCCAATACTCCGspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1473.4 — 1776.6 — — 17 HLAA_2386_2r20 CMGGTCCCAATACTCCGspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1473.4 — 1776.6 — — 18 HLAA_2387_2r20 CYCGTCCCAATACTCCGspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1473.4 — 1776.6 — — 19 HLAA_2561_1r19 CTTCATATTCCGTGTCTCspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1089.1 — 1392.3 1432.4 — 20 HLAA_2562_1r19 CTTCACWTTCCGTGTCTCspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1089.1 — 1392.3 1432.4 — 21 HLAA_2563_1r19 CTTCACATKCCGTGTCTGspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1138.1 — — 1481.4 — 22 HLAA_2564_1r19 CTTCACTTTCCGTGTGTTspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1089.1 — — 1432.1 — 23 HLAA_2565_1r19 CYTCACATTCCGTGTGTTspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1089.1 — — 1432.1 — 24 HLAA_2566_1r19 CTTCACRTTCCGTGTCTCspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1074.1 — 1377.3 1417.4 — 25 HLAA_2567_1r19 CTTCASTTGCCGTGTCTcspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1074.1 — 1377.3 1417.4 — 26 HLAA_2568_1r19 CTTCAGTTKCCGTGTCTCspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1074.1 — 1377.3 1417.4 — 28 HLAA_2681_1f20 ATTGGGACCGGAACACACspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1154.1 1481.4 1457.3 — — 29 HLAA_2682_1f20 ATTGGGACCTGCAGACACspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1154.1 1481.4 1457.3 — — 30 HLAA_2683_1f20 ATTGGGACSAGGAGACACspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1154.1 1481.4 1457.3 — — 31 HLAA_2684_1f20 ATTGGGACSGGGAGACACspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1154.1 1481.4 1457.3 — — 32 HLAA_2685_1f20 ATTGGGACSAGGAGACAGspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1194.1 1521.4 — — — 33 HLAA_2701_1r19 CTGTGAGTGGGCCTTCspA{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1113.1 1440.4 — — — 34 HLAA_2702_1r19 CTGTGACTGGGCCYTCspA{circumflex over ( )}spC −14 1084.1 1411.4 — 1427.4 1402.4 35 HLAA_2703_1r19 CTGTGAGTGGSCCTTCspA{circumflex over ( )}spC −14 1084.1 1411.4 — 1427.4 1402.4 36 HLAA_2821_1f20 ACACGGAATGTGARGGGCspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1098.1 — 1401.3 1441.3 — 37 HLAA_2822_1f20 ACASGGAAAGTGAAGGCCspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1098.1 — 1401.3 1441.3 — 38 HLAA_2823_1f20 ACACGGCAWGTGAAGGCCspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1098.1 — 1401.3 1441.3 — 39 HLAA_2824_1f20 ACACGGAACGTGAAGGCCspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1098.1 — 1401.3 1441.3 — 40 HLAA_2825_1f20 ACACGGAATRTGAAGGCCspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1098.1 — 1401.3 1441.3 — 41 HLAA_2921_2f20 TGAAGGCCCACTCACAGspASpG{circumflex over ( )}spT −14 1498.4 — 1801.6 — — 42 HLAA_2922_2f20 TGAAGGCCCACTCACAGspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1488.4 — — 1831.7 — 43 HLAA_2923_2f20 TGAAGGSCCACTCACAGSpASpT{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1589.6 — — 1932.9 — 44 HLAA_2924_2f20 TGARGGCCCAGTCACAGspAspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1427.4 — 1775.6 1815.7 — 45 HLAA_2925_2f20 TGAAGGCCCASTCACAGspAspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1427.4 — 1775.6 1815.7 — 46 HLAA_3681_1f20 TCACACCATCCAGATAATspG{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1129.1 1456.4 — — — 47 HLAA_3682_1f20 TCACACCATCCAGMTAATspG{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1144.1 1471.6 1447.1 1487.4 1462.3 48 HLAA_3683_1f20 TCACACCSTCCAGAGGATSpG{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1144.1 1471.6 1447.1 1487.4 1462.3 49 HLAA_3684_1f20 tCACACCVTCCAGATGATspG{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1144.1 1471.6 1447.1 1487.4 1462.3 50 HLAA_3961_2r20 GCTGGTACCCGCGGAGspGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1537.4 — — 1880.7 — 51 HLAA_3962_2r20 GCCGGTACCCGCGGAGspTspA{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1496.4 — — 1839.7 — 52 HLAA_3963_2r20 GGTGGTACCCGYGCAGspGspA{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1496.4 — — 1839.7 — 53 HLAA_3964_2r20 GGTGGTACCCGCAGAGspGspA{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1521.5 — — 1864.8 1839.7 54 HLAA_3965_2r20 GTTCATACCCGCGGAGSpGspA{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1521.5 — — 1864.8 1839.7 55 HLAA_3966_2r20 GSTGGTACCCGCGGAGspGspA{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1521.5 — — 1864.8 1839.7 56 HLAA_3967_2r20 GCCGGTACCCGCGGAGspGspA{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1521.5 — — 1864.8 1839.7 57 HLAA_4141_1f20 CGCTTCCTCCGCGGGTATspG{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1153.1 1480.1 — — — 58 HLAA_4142_1f20 CGCTTCCTCTGCGGGTACspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1098.1 — 1401.3 1441.4 — 59 HLAA_4143_1f20 CGCTTCCTGCGCGGGTACspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1098.1 — 1401.3 1441.4 — 60 HLAA_4144_1f20 CGCTTCCTCCACGGGTACspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1098.1 — 1401.3 1441.4 — 61 HLAA_4145_1f20 CGMTTCCTCCGCGGGTACspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1098.1 — 1401.3 1441.4 — 62 HLAA_4146_1f20 CGCCTCCTCCGCGGGTACspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1098.1 — 1401.3 1441.4 — 63 HLAA_4147_1f20 CACTTCCTCCGCGGGTACspC{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1114.1 — — 1457.4 — 64 HLAA_4148_1f20 CGCTTMCTCCGCGGGTACspC{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1114.1 — — 1457.4 — 65 HLAA_4531_1r20 GTCCAAGAGCGCAGGTCTspT{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1206.2 — — — 1524.4 66 HLAA_4532_1r20 GTCCAAGAGCGCAGGTCCspT{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1191.2 — — 1534.5 1509.4 67 HLAA_4533_1r20 GTCCAGGAGCTCAGGTCCspT{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1191.2 — — 1534.5 1509.4 68 HLAA_5021_2r20 GGCCGYCTCCCACTTGTspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1463.4 — — — 1781.6 69 HLAA_5022_2r20 GGCYGCCTCCCACTTGCspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1448.4 — 1751.6 1791.7 1766.6 70 HLAA_5023_2r20 CGGAGTCTCCCACTTGCspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1448.4 — 1751.6 1791.7 1766.6 71 HLAA_5024_2r20 GGCCGCCTCCCACTTGCspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spC −14 1419.4 — — — 1737.6 72 HLAA_5271_1f20 AGTGGGAGACTCCGCCCAspT{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1255.3 1582.6 1558.5 — 1573.5 73 HLAA_5272_1f20 CAAGTGGGAGGCGGYCCAspT{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1255.3 1582.6 1558.5 — 1573.5 74 HLAA_5273_1f20 CAAGTGGGAGRCGGCCCAspT{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1255.3 1582.6 1558.5 — 1573.5 75 HLAA_5274_1f20 CAAGTGGGAGGCGGCCCTspT{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1246.3 — — 1564.5 76 HLAA_5275_1f20 CAAGTGGGAGGCGGCCCGspT{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1246.3 — — 1589.6 — 77 HLAA_5276_1f20 CAAGTGGGAGGCGGCCCGspT{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1231.3 — — 1574.5 — 78 HLAA_5277_1f20 CAAGTGGGAGGCGGCCMGspT{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1271.3 1598.6 — — 1589.5 79 HLAA_5278_1f20 CAAGTGGGAGGCRGCCCGspT{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1271.3 1598.6 — — 1589.5 80 HLAA_5391_1f19 GCCCRTGAGGCGGAGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1138.1 1465.4 — 1481.4 1456.3 81 HLAA_5392_1f19 GYCCATGCGGCGGAGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1138.1 1465.4 — 1481.4 1456.3 82 HLAA_5393_1f19 GCCCGTCGGGCGGAGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1138.1 1465.4 — 1481.4 1456.3 83 HLAA_5394_1f19 GCCCATGTGGCGGAGCAsPG{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1138.1 1465.4 — 1481.4 1456.3 84 HLAA_5395_1f19 GTCCATGCGGCGGAGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1153.1 — — 1496.4 1471.3 85 HLAA_5396_1f19 GCCCGTYGGGCGGAGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1153.1 — — 1496.4 1471.3 86 HLAA_5397_1f19 GCCCATGAGGCGGAGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1153.1 — — 1496.4 1471.3 87 HLAA_5398_1f19 GCCCWTGTGGCGGAGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1153.1 — — 1496.4 1471.3 88 HLAA_5399_1f19 GCCMGTGTGGCGGAGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1153.1 — — 1496.4 1471.3 89 HLAA_5591_1r20 GCGGAGCCACTCCACGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1113.1 — 1416.3 — — 90 HLAA_5592_1r20 GCGGAGCCCGTCCACGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1113.1 — 1416.3 — — 91 HLAA_5593_1r20 GCGGAGCCACTCCACGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1122.1 — — 1465.4 — 92 HLAA_5594_1r20 GCGGAGCCCGTCCACTCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1138.1 — — — 1456.3 93 HLAA_5595_1r20 GCGGAGCCAGTCCACGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1138.1 — — — 1456.3 94 HLAA_5596_1r20 GCGGAGCCMGTCCACGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1138.1 — — — 1456.3 95 HLAA_5597_1r20 GCGGAGCCACTCCACGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1098.1 1425.4 — 1441.4 — 96 HLAA_5598_1r20 GCGGAGCCCGTCCACGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1098.1 1425.4 — 1441.4 — HLAA_5599_1r20 GCGGAGCCACTCCACGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1178.1 — — — 1496.3 97 HLAA_5711_2f20 TGGAGGGCCKGTGCGTGspGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1537.4 — — — 1855.6 98 HLAA_5712_2f20 TGGAGGGYGAGTGCGTGspGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1537.4 — — — 1855.6 99 HLAA_5713_2f20 TGSAGGGCCGGTGCGTGspGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1537.4 — — — 1855.6 100 HLAA_5714_2f20 TGGATGSCACGTGCGTGspGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1537.4 — — — 1855.6 101 HLAA_5715_2f20 TGGAGGGCACSTGCGTGspGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1537.4 — — — 1855.6 102 HLAA_5716_2f20 TGGAGGGCACGTGMGTGspGspA{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1497.4 — — 1840.7 1815.6 103 HLAA_5717_2f20 TGGAGGGCYGGTGCGTGspGspA{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1497.4 — — 1840.7 1815.6

TABLE V Primer No Name Sequence CT Masses A C G T 1 HLAB_971_2f20 CCCACTCCATGAGGCATspTspT{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1540.3 — 1843.7 1883.8 1858.7 2 HLAB_972_2f20 CCCACTYCATGAGGTATspTspT{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1540.3 — 1843.7 1883.8 1858.7 3 HLAB_2061_1f20 CGACGCCGCGAGTCMGAGspG{circumflex over ( )}spA −28 1150.1 1477.4 1453.3 — 1468.3 4 HLAB_2062_1f20 CGACGCCACGAGTCCGAGspG{circumflex over ( )}spA −28 1150.1 1477.4 1453.3 — 1468.3 5 HLAB_2063_1f20 CGACGCCGCGAGTCCRAGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1178.1 1505.4 — 1521.4 — 6 HLAB_2064_1f20 CGACGCCRCGAGTCCGAGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1478.1 1505.4 — 1521.4 — 7 HLAB_2221_1r19 GCCCCTCCTGCTCCACCspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1098.3 1425.4 — 1441.4 — 8 HLAB_2222_1r19 GCCCCTCYTGCTCTATCspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1098.4 1425.4 — 1441.4 — 9 HLAB_2591_2f20 GGCCGGAGTATTGGGACspGspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1513.4 — — 1856.7 — 10 HLAB_2592_2f20 GGCCGGAGTATTGGGACspGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1497.4 — — 1840.7 — 11 HLAB_2593_2f20 GGCCGGAGTATTGGGACspCspC{circumflex over ( )}spG −28 1405.4 — — 1748.7 — 12 HLAB_2594_2f20 GGCCGGAGTATTGGGATspCspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1488.4 1815.7 — 1831.7 — 13 HLAB_2595_2f20 GGCCGGAGTTTTGGGACspCspG{circumflex over ( )}spG −28 1445.4 1772.7 — 1788.7 — 14 HLAB_2596_2f20 GGCCGGAGCATTGGGACspCspG{circumflex over ( )}spG −28 1445.4 1772.7 — 1788.7 — 15 HLAB_2597_2f20 GGCCGGGATATTGGGACspCspG{circumflex over ( )}spG −28 1445.4 1772.7 — 1788.7 — 16 HLAB_2598_2f20 GGCCRGAATATTGGGACspCspG{circumflex over ( )}spG −28 1445.4 1772.7 — 1788.7 — 17 HLAB_2599_2f20 GGCGGGMGTATTGGGACspCspG{circumflex over ( )}spG −28 1445.4 1772.7 — 1788.7 — 18 HLAB_25910_2f20 GGCCTTAGTATTGGGACspCspG{circumflex over ( )}spG −28 1445.4 1772.7 — 1788.7 — 19 HLAB_2721_1f20 GGACSGGGAGACACGGAAspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1122.1 — — — 1440.3 20 HLAB_2722_1f20 GGACGRGGAGACACGGAAspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1122.1 — — — 1440.3 21 HLAB_2723_1f20 GGACCGGAACACACAGAAspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1113.1 — — 1456.4 — 22 HLAB_2724_1f20 GGACCGGAACACACAGACspC{circumflex over ( )}sPT −14 1075.1 — — — 1393.3 23 HLAB_2725_1f20 GGACCGGGAGACACAGAAspG{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1153.1 1480.4 — — — 24 HLAB_2728_1f20 GGACCGGGAGATACAGATspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1104.1 1431.4 1407.3 1447.4 1422.3 25 HLAB_2727_1f20 GGACCGGGAsACACAGATspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1104.1 1431.4 1407.3 1447.4 1422.3 26 HLAB_2728_1f20 GGACCGGGACACACAGATspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1104.1 1431.4 1407.3 1447.4 1422.3 27 HLAB_2729_1f20 GGACCSGGAGACACAGATspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1104.1 1431.4 1407.3 1447.4 1422.3 28 HLAB_2921_2f19 CAAGACCAACACACAGspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1458.3 — — 1801.6 — 29 HLAB_2922_2f19 CAAGsCCCAGGCACAGspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1458.3 — — 1801.6 — 30 HLAB_2923_2f19 CAAGACCAACACACGGspAspC{circumflex over ( )}spT −28 1414.3 — — 1757.6 1732.5 31 HLAB_2924_2f19 GAAGGCCTCCGCGCAGspAspC{circumflex over ( )}spT −28 1414.3 — — 1757.6 1732.5 32 HLAB_2925_2f19 CAAGGCCMAGGCACAGspAspC{circumflex over ( )}spT −28 1414.3 — — 1757.6 1732.5 33 HLAB_2926_2f19 CAAGSGCCAGGCACAGspAspC{circumflex over ( )}spT −28 1414.3 — — 1757.6 1732.5 34 HLAB_2927_2f19 GAAGACCAACACACAGspAspC{circumflex over ( )}spT −28 1414.3 — — 1757.6 1732.5 35 HLAB_3021_2f19 GCACAGACTGACCGAGspTspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1528.4 — — 1871.7 — 36 HLAB_30211_2f19 ACACAGACTTACAGAGspAspG{circumflex over ( )}spA −28 1493.5 1820.8 — 1836.8 — 37 HLAB_3022_2f19 ACACAGAC1TACCGAGspAspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1537.4 1864.7 — — — 38 HLAB_3023_2f19 RCACAGACTGACCGAGspA5pG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1537.4 1864.7 — — — 39 HLAB_3024_2f19 GCACAGACTGGCCGAGspTBpG{circumflex over ( )}spA −28 1481.4 1811.7 — 1827.7 — 40 HLAB_3026_2f19 ACACAGACTTACCGAGspTspG{circumflex over ( )}spA −28 1481.4 1811.7 — 1827.7 — 41 HLAB_3026_2f19 RCACAGACTGACCGAGspTspG{circumflex over ( )}spA −28 1481.4 1811.7 — 1827.7 — 42 HLAB_3027_2f19 ACACAGGCTGACCGAGspAspG{circumflex over ( )}spA −28 1493.5 1820.8 — 1836.8 — 43 HLAB_3028_2f19 RCACAGACTGACCGAGspAspG{circumflex over ( )}spA −28 1493.5 1820.8 — 1836.8 — 44 HLAB_3029_2f19 GCRCAGACTTACCGAGspAspG{circumflex over ( )}spA −28 1493.5 1820.8 — 1836.8 — 45 HLAB_30210_2f19 ACACRGACTTACCGAGspAspG{circumflex over ( )}spA −28 1493.5 1820.8 — 1836.8 — 46 HLAB_3621_2f20 CGGGTCTCACACCCTCCspAspC{circumflex over ( )}spA −28 1413.4 — — 1756.7 — 47 HLAB_3622_2f20 CGGGTCTCACAYCATCCspAspG{circumflex over ( )}spA −14 1467.4 1794.7 1770.6 1810.7 1785.6 48 HLAB_3623_2f20 CGGKTCTCACACCCTCCspAspG{circumflex over ( )}spA −14 1467.4 1794.7 1770.6 1810.7 1785.6 49 HLAB_3624_2f20 CGGGTCTCACACTTGGCspAspG{circumflex over ( )}spA −14 1467.4 1794.7 1770.6 1810.7 1785.6 50 HLAB_3625_2f20 CGGGTCTCACATCATCCspAspG{circumflex over ( )}spG −14 1483.4 — — — 1801.6 51 HLAB_3626_2f20 CGGGTCTCACACCCTCCspAspG{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1472.4 — — 1815.7 — 52 HLAB_3631_1r20 CCCASGTCGCAGCCGTACspA{circumflex over ( )}spT −28 1085.1 — 1388.3 1428.4 1403.3 53 HLAB_3632_1r20 CCCABGTCGCAGCCATACspA{circumflex over ( )}spT −28 1085.1 — 1388.3 1428.4 1403.3 54 HLAB_3633_1r20 CCCASGTCGCAGCCAAACspA{circumflex over ( )}spT −28 1085.1 — 1388.3 1428.4 1403.3 55 HLAB_3634_1r20 CCCACGTCGCAGCCAGACspA{circumflex over ( )}spT −28 1085.1 — 1388.3 1428.4 1403.3 56 HLAB_3635_1r20 CCCACGTCGCAGCCGCACspA{circumflex over ( )}spT −28 1085.1 — 1388.3 1428.4 1403.3 57 HLAB_3636_1r20 CCCACGTCGCAGCCTTACspA{circumflex over ( )}spT −28 1085.1 — 1388.3 1428.4 1403.3 58 HLAB_3637_1r20 CCCACGTCGCAGCCGTACspG{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1129.1 — 1432.3 1472.4 1447.3 59 HLAB_3691_1f20 TCCGGCCCCAKGTCGCAGspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1114.1 1441.4 — 1457.4 1432.3 60 HLAB_3692_1f20 TCGGGCCCCASGTCGCAGspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1114.1 1441.4 — 1457.4 1432.3 55 HLAB_4121_2f20 GGCGCCTCCTCCGCGGGspTspA{circumflex over ( )}spC −28 1444.4 — 1747.6 — — 56 HLAB_4122_2f20 GGCGCCTCCTCCsCGGGspCspA{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1472.4 1799.7 — 1815.7 — 57 HLAB_4123_2f20 GGCGCYTCCTCCGCGGGspCspA{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1472.4 1799.7 — 1815.7 — 58 HLAB_4124_2f20 GGCGTCTCCTCCGCGGTspTspA{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1462.4 — 1765.6 — — 59 HLAB_4125_2f20 GGCGCCTCCTCCGCGGGspTspA{circumflex over ( )}spT −14 1473.4 — 1776.6 — — 60 HLAB_4181_2f20 TCCTCCGCGGGTATGAAspCspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1481.4 1808.7 — — — 61 HLAB_4182_2f20 TCCTCCACGGGTACCACspCspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1457.4 — — — 1775.6 62 HLAB_4183_2f20 TCCTGCGCGGGTACCACspCspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1457.4 — — — 1778.6 63 HLAB_4184_2f20 TCCTCCGCGGGTACCACspCspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1457.4 — — — 1775.6 64 HLAB_4185_2f20 TCCTCTGCGGGTACCACspCspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1457.4 — — — 1775.6 65 HLAB_4186_2f20 TCCTCCGCGGGTACCAGspCspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1497.4 1824.7 1800.6 1840.7 1815.6 66 HLAB_4187_2f20 TMCTCCGCGGGTACCGGspCspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1497.4 1824.7 1800.6 1840.7 1815.6 67 HLAB_4188_2f20 TCCTCCGCGGGTACCAGspCspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1513.4 — — 1856.7 — 68 HLAB_4191_2r20 AATCCTTGCCGTCGTAGspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spT −14 1474.4 1801.7 — — — 69 HLAB_4192_2r20 AATCCTTGCCGTCGTAGspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spA −28 1469.4 — — 1812.7 — 70 HLAB_4193_2r20 AATTCTTGCCGTCGTAGspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1513.4 1840.7 — 1856.7 1831.6 71 HLAB_4194_2r20 AATCTTTGCCGTCGTAGspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1513.4 1840.7 — 1856.7 1831.6 72 HLAB_4195_2r20 AATCCTTGCCGTCGYAGspGspC{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1513.4 1840.7 — 1856.7 1831.6 73 HLAB_4351n_1r20 TCMTTCAGGGCGATGTAAspT{circumflex over ( )}spC −14 1201.3 — 1504.4 — 1519.4 74 HLAB_4352n_1r20 TCGTTCAGGGCGATGTAAspT{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1230.3 — 1533.5 — — 75 HLAB_5271_1f20 CAAGTGGGAGGCGGCCCTspT{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1246.3 — — — 1564.5 76 HLAB_5272_1f20 CAAGTKGGAGGCGGCCCGspT{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1271.3 1598.6 1574.3 — 1589.5 77 HLAB_5391_1f20 GGCCCGTGYGGCGGAGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1138.1 — — 1481.3 1456.3 78 HLAB_5392_1f20 GGCCCGTGTCGCGGAGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1178.1 1505.4 — — — 79 HLAB_5393_1f20 GGCCCGTGWGGCGGAGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1178.1 1505.4 — — — 80 HLAB_5384_1f20 GGCCCGTGAGGCGGAGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1153.1 — — 1496.4 — 81 HLAB_5591_1r20 GCGGAGCGACTCCACGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1113.1 — — 1456.4 — 82 HLAB_5592_1r20 GCGGAGCCACTCCACGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1113.1 — — 1456.4 — 83 HLAB_5593_1r20 GCGGAGCCAATCCACGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1113.1 — — 1456.4 — 84 HLAB_5594_1r20 GCGGAGCCACTCCACGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1152.1 — — — 1470.3 85 HLAB_5595_1r20 GCGGAGCGACTCCRCGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spA −14 1122.1 1449.1 1425.3 — — 86 HLAB_5596_1r20 GCGGAGCSACTCCACGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spA −14 1122.1 1449.1 1425.3 — — 87 HLAB_5597_1r20 GCGGAGCCCGTCCACGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spA −14 1122.1 1449.1 1425.3 — — 88 HLAB_5711_1r20 CTCCAGGTAYCTGCGGAGspC{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1154.1 1481.4 — — — 89 HLAB_5712_1r20 CTCCAGGTRTCTGCGGAGspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1114.1 1441.4 1417.3 — — 90 HLAB_583_1r19 ACCTGGAGAACGGGAAGspG{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1178.1 1505.4 — 1521.4 —

TABLE VI Masses No Name Sequence CT Primer A C G T 1 DRB1_1251_1r20 CATTGAAGAAATGACACTspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1098.1 — 1392.3 — — 2 DRB1_1252_1r20 CGTTGAAGAAATGACACTspT{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1230.1 — — — 1548.5 3 DRB1_1253_1r20 CATTGAAGAAAAGACATTspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1113.1 1440.4 1416.3 1456.4 1431.3 4 DRB1_1254_1r20 CATTGAAGAAWTAACACTspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1113.2 1440.4 1416.3 1456.4 1431.3 5 DRB1_1255_1r20 CRTTGAAGAAATGACACTspC{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1113.3 1440.4 1416.3 1456.4 1431.3 6 DRB1_1961_1f19 CATCTATAACCAAGAGGspA{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1162.1 — — — 1480.3 7 DRB1_1962_1f19 CTTCTATCACCAAGARGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1178.1 1505.4 — — 1496.3 8 DRB1_1963_1f19 CTTCTATAATCARGAGGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1178.1 1505.4 — — 1496.3 9 DRB1_1964_1f19 CGTCCATAACCAAGAGGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1178.1 1505.4 — — 1496.3 10 DRB1_1965_1f19 CATCTATAACCAAGAGGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1178.1 1505.4 — — 1496.3 11 DRB1_1966_1f19 CTTCCATAACCRGGAGGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1178.1 1505.4 — — 1496.3 12 DRB1_1967_1f19 CTTCGATAACCAGGAGGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1178.1 1505.4 — — 1496.3 13 DRB1_1968_1f19 CTTCTATAACCTGGAGGspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1178.1 1505.4 — — 1496.3 14 DRB1_1971_1r20 CGTCGCTGTCGAAGCGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1178.1 1505.4 — — 1496.3 15 DRB1_1972_1r20 CGTCGCTGTCGTAGCGCGspC{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1154.1 — — — 1472.3 16 DRB1_1973_1r20 CGTCGCTGTCGAAGCGCAspA{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1162.1 — — — 1480.3 17 DRB1_1974_1r20 CGTCGCTGTCGAAGYGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spG −28 1110.1 1437.4 — 1453.4 1428.3 18 DRB1_1975_1r20 CGTCGCTGTCGAASCGCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spG −28 1110.1 1437.4 — 1453.4 1428.3 19 DRB1_2271_1f20 CGACAGCGACGTGGGGGAspC{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1113.1 1440.4 — — — 20 DRB1_2272_1f20 CGACAGCGACGTGVGGGAspG{circumflex over ( )}spT 0 1153.1 1480.4 — — 1471.3 21 DRB1_2611_1r20 TTCTGGCTGTTCCAGTACspT{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1231.2 — — 1574.5 — 22 DRB1_2612_1r20 TTCTGGCTGTTCCAGTACspC{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1074.1 — 1377.3 — — 23 DRB1_2613_1r20 TTCTGGCTGTTCCAGTAGspT{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1231.2 — 1534.4 — — 24 DRB1_2614_1r20 TTCTGGCTGTTCCAGTRCspT{circumflex over ( )}spC −14 1177.2 1504.5 1480.4 1520.5 — 25 DRB1_2615_1r20 TTCYGGCTGTTCCAGGACspT{circumflex over ( )}spC −14 1177.2 1504.5 1480.4 1520.5 — 26 DRB1_2861_1f19 CTGGAACAGCCAGAAGAspA{circumflex over ( )}spC −28 1122.1 1449.4 — — — 27 DRB1_2862_1f19 CTGGAACAGCCRGAAGGspA{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1138.1 1465.4 1441.3 — 1456.3 28 DRB1_2991_1f20 GAAGGACHTCCTGGAGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1178.1 — 1481.3 — — 29 DRB1_2992_1f20 GAAGGACATCCTGGGAGAspC{circumflex over ( )}spA −14 1108.1 1435.1 — 1451.4 — 30 DRB1_2993_1f20 GAAGGACATCCTGGARGAspC{circumflex over ( )}spA −14 1108.1 1435.1 — 1452.4 — 31 DRB1_2994_1f20 GAAGGACYTCCTGGAAGAspC{circumflex over ( )}spA −14 1108.1 1435.1 — 1453.4 — 32 DRB1_2995_1f20 GAAGGACATCCTGGAGCAspG{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1162.1 1489.4 — 1505.4 — 33 DRB1_2996_1f20 GAAGGACHTCCTGGAGCGspG{circumflex over ( )}spA 0 1178.1 — — 1521.4 — 34 DRB1_2997_1f20 GAAGGACHTCCTGGAAGAspC{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1138.1 1465.4 — — — 35 DBR1_3081_1r20 GTCTGCAATAGGTGTCCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1138.1 — 1441.3 — — 38 DRB1_3082_1r20 GTCTGCARTAGGCGTCCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spC −14 1084.1 1411.4 1387.3 1427.4 1402.3 37 DRB1_3083_1r20 GTCTGCAGTAATTGTCCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spC −14 1084.1 1411.4 1387.3 1427.4 1402.3 38 DRB1_3084_1r20 GTCTGCACACGGTGTCCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spC −14 1084.1 1411.4 1387.3 1427.4 1402.3 39 DRB1_3085_1r20 GTCTGCAGTAGGTGTCCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spC −14 1084.1 1411.4 1387.3 1427.4 1402.3 40 DRB1_3086_1r20 GTCTGCAATAGGTGTCCAspC{circumflex over ( )}spC −14 1084.1 1411.4 1387.3 1427.4 1402.3 41 DRB1_341_1f19 TGCAGACACAACTACSGspG{circumflex over ( )}spG 0 1194.1 — 1497.3 — 1512.3 42 DRB1_3451_1r20 CGCTGCACTGTGAATCTCspT{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1191.3 1518.5 1494.4 — — 43 DRB1_3452_1r20 CTCTGCACTGTGAAGCTCspT{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1191.3 1518.5 1494.4 — — 44 DRB1_3453_1r20 CGCTGCACYGTGAAGCTCspT{circumflex over ( )}spC 0 1191.3 1518.5 1494.4 — —

The resolution achievable by 19 markers each for HLA-A and HLA-B and the ten markers for HLA-DRB1 are listed in Tables VII to IX below.

TABLE VII

Capture: Alleles in a same field have the same mini-haplotype profile; grey high lighted are all alleles with identical sequences over exons 2 and 3.

TABLE VIII

Capture: Alleles in a same field have the same mini-haplotype profile; grey high lighted are all alleles with identical sequences over exons 2 and 3.

TABLE IX Groups of frequent Frequent Alleles Alleles with same Rare Alleles with same Resolution of HLA-DR1* four-digit type Mini-Haplotype Profile (in %) DRB1*0101 DRB1*010101 DRB1*0105, DRB1*0107, 98.9 DRB1*0111 DRB1*010102 100 DRB1*0301 DRB1*030101, DRB1*0307, DRB1*0312, 97.2 DRB1*030102 DRB1*0313, DRB1*0315, DRB1*0316, DRB1*0318, DRB1*0322, DRB1*0323 DRB1*0401 DRB1*040101, DRB1*0409, DRB1*0426, 98.6 DRBL*040102 DRB1*0433 DRB1*0701 DRB1*070101, DRB1*0703, DRB1*0704, 98.3 DRB1*070102 DRB1*0705, DRB1*0707 DRB1*1101

DRB1*112701, DRB1*112702, DRB1*1130, DRB1*1139 97.5 DRB1*1104

DRB1*1134, DRB1*1146 98.9 DRB1*1302 DRB1*130201, DRB1*1331, DRB1*1339, 98.6 DRB1*130202 DRB1*1341 DRB1*1501 DRB1*150101, DRB1*1503, DRB1*1506, 98.0 DRB1*150103, DRB1*1509, DRB1*1513 DRB1*150105 DRB1*150102 100 DRB1*150104 DRB1*1512 99.4

Capture: Alleles in a same field have the same mini-haplotype profile; grey high lighted are all alleles with identical sequences over exon 2 (base 101 to 356)

The complete list of HLA alleles and sub-groups generated by the most informative mini-haplotyping markers (ten each for HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-DRB1) are listed in Tables X to XII below.

TABLE X

TABLE XI

TABLE XII

General strategy for medium resolution typing is described below:

For medium resolution typing a maximally informative set of marker positions were determined. These consist of positions 98, 414, 539, 282, 571, 368, 256, 292, 238, 270, 453, 527, 502, 81, 268, 559, 92, 123 and 396 of HLA-A (numbering starts at the transcription start position of exon 1), positions 539, 419, 559, 412, 272, 362, 302, 363, 206, 369, 259, 97, 583, 292, 222, 527, 418, 435 and 571 of HLA-B (numbering starts at the transcription start position of exon 1), and positions 125, 196, 197, 227, 261, 286, 299, 308, 341 and 345 of HLA-DRB1 (numbering starts at the transcription start position of exon 1).

In general, the order of the positions is from the most informative to the least informative with respect to the selection criteria of frequent and rare HLA alleles (see list of frequent HLA alleles above). Thus the ten markers (HLA-A and HLA-B) that were selected for the fine typing strategy constitute the first ten markers of the set of 19 markers for the single pass classification into frequent and rare HLA alleles (HLA-A and HLA-B). Like with sequence-based HLA typing there are heterozygous combinations of HLA alleles that can not be resolved. However, there are fewer ambiguities with this method due to the mini-haplotypes that are provided.

Another object of the present invention is the use of said methodology of the invention is for screening of tissue donors, for example, bone marrow donors in registries for frequent and rare HLA types.

The description of the HLA alleles is based on the Anthony Nolan database (www.ebi.ac.uk/imgt/hla/).

In addition to the aforementioned method, the invention includes yet other arrangements which will emerge from the description that follows, which refers to examples of supports according to the invention, as well as the annexed figures and tables, wherein:

FIG. 1 describes 19 positions covered by mini-haplotyping assays for discrimination of HLA-A mapped onto the HLA-A allele A*010101 as reference. Black boxes indicate an extension position while grey boxes indicate polymorphisms that are captured by the annealing of the respective primer of the primer pool. Pools are used in forward and reverse. Numbering is according to the transcription start of the cDNA.

FIG. 2 describes 19 positions covered by mini-haplotyping assays for discrimination of HLA-B mapped onto the HLA-B allele B*070201 as reference. Black boxes indicate an extension position while grey boxes indicate polymorphisms that are captured by the annealing of the respective primer of the primer pool. Pools are used in forward and reverse. Numbering is according to the transcription start of the cDNA.

FIG. 3 describes 10 positions covered by mini-haplotyping assays for discrimination of HLA-DRB1 mapped onto the HLA-DRB1 allele DRB1*0101 as reference. Black boxes indicate an extension position while grey boxes indicate polymorphisms that are captured by the annealing of the respective primer of the primer pool. Pools are used in forward and reverse. Numbering is according to the transcription start of the cDNA.

FIG. 4 describes 10 positions covered by mini-haplotyping assays for discrimination of HLA-A mapped onto the HLA-A allele A*010101 as reference for the distinction of subgroups that can then be further analysed. Black boxes indicate an extension position while grey boxes indicate polymorphisms that are captured by the annealing of the respective primer of the primer pool. Pools are used in forward and reverse. Numbering is according to the transcription start of the cDNA.

FIG. 5 describes 10 positions covered by mini-haplotyping assays for discrimination of HLA-B mapped onto the HLA-B allele B*070201 as reference for the distinction of subgroups that can then be further analysed. Black boxes indicate an extension position while grey boxes indicate polymorphisms that are captured by the annealing of the respective primer of the primer pool. Pools are used in forward and reverse. Numbering is according to the transcription start of the cDNA.

FIG. 6 shows genotyping results of a CEPH family (1418, 01=father, 02=mother, 03=child, 04=child) for position HLA-B_(—)272. 1407.3 Da corresponds to the addition of C to primer 6, 7, 8, or 9; 1422.3 Da corresponds to the addition of T to primer 6, 7, 8, or 9; 1431.4 Da/1430.9 Da corresponds to the addition of A to primer 6, 7, 8, or 9; and 1447.4 Da/1448.5 Da corresponds to the addition of G to primer 6, 7, 8, or 9.

Table I represents HLA-A alleles captured by the 10 markers in the different subgroups and additional positions that have to be typed to resolve the subgroups.

Table II represents HLA-B alleles captured by the 10 markers in the different subgroups and additional positions that have to be typed to resolve the subgroups.

Table III represents HLA-DRB1 alleles captured by the 10 markers in the different subgroups and additional positions that have to be typed to resolve the subgroups.

Table IV represents the list of the individual primers that are required to constitute the pools for mini-haplotyping of HLA-A (19 markers). The 10 markers required for the creation of subgroups are also contained. ^ refers to the base used to attach the mass/charge tag, CT refers to the mass difference of the mass/charge tag, sp means phosphorothioate group. The product analysed by mass spectrometry includes the base 5′ of the most 5′ phosphorothioate (sp).

Table V represents the list of the individual primers that are required to constitute the pools for mini-haplotyping of HLA-B (19 markers). The 10 markers required for the creation of subgroups are also contained. ^ refers to the base used to attach the mass/charge tag, CT refers to the mass difference of the mass/charge tag, sp means phosphorothioate group. The product analysed by mass spectrometry includes the base 5′ of the most 5′ sp.

Table VI represents the list of the individual primers that are required to constitute the pools for mini-haplotyping of HLA-DRB1 (10 markers). ^ refers to the base used to attach the mass/charge tag, CT refers to the mass difference of the mass/charge tag, sp means phosphorothioate group. The product analysed by mass spectrometry includes the base 5′ of the most 5′ sp.

Table VII represents the resolution that can be generated with the 19 markers for the distinction of the frequent HLA alleles in HLA-A.

Table VIII represents the resolution that can be generated with the 19 markers for the distinction of the frequent HLA alleles in HLA-B.

Table IX represents the resolution that can be generated with the 10 markers for the distinction of the frequent HLA alleles in HLA-DRB1.

Table X represents the list of HLA-A alleles that are resolved with the 10 markers for the creation of subgroups. Each subgroup is separated by an empty line. Frequent alleles are shaded in darker grey, while lighter grey indicates the position that primers are extended onto.

Table XI represents the list of HLA-B alleles that are resolved with the 10 markers for the creation of subgroups. Each subgroup is separated by an empty line. Frequent alleles are shaded in darker grey, while lighter grey indicates the position that primers are extended onto.

Table XII represents the list of HLA-DRB1 alleles that are resolved with the 10 markers for the creation of subgroups. Each subgroup is separated by an empty line. Frequent alleles are shaded in darker grey, while lighter grey indicates the position that primers are extended onto.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Mini-haplotyping at Position 272 of HLA-B by the Modified GOOD-Assay

A locus specific PCR product of exon 2 and exon 3 of HLA-B is amplified with a set of primers published by the International Histocompatibility Working Group, Technical Manuals (Hurly, Fernandes-Vina, Gao, Middleton, Noreen, Ren and Smith; www.ihwg.org/tmanual/Tmcontents.htm). The PCR product is incubated with SAP to remove all excess dNTPs. Then a single base primer extension at position 272 in the PCR amplicon is carried out. The set of primers, to generate the mini-haplotypes is shown in Table V. Thereafter a 5′ phosphodiesterase digest is applied to reduce the primers to a core sequence. After alkylation of the DNA backbone of the mini-haplotype fragments the products are transferred onto a MALDI target pre-coated with matrix. Alternatively the matrix solution can be mixed with the samples and transferred onto the MALDI target to dry. The MALDI target is introduced into a MALDI mass spectrometer and analysed. The mass spectra show one or two mass peaks and that correspond to specific mini-haplotypes.

PCR:

Forward primer, BAmp1 5′-G GGT CCC AGT TCT AAA GTC CCC ACG-3′(1.875 pmol), reverse primer, BAmp2 5′-CC ATC CCC GGC GAC CTA TAG GAG ATG-3′ (1.875 pmol) an BAmp3 5′-AGG CCA TCC CGG CGG GCG ATC TAT-3′ (1.875 pmol), 0.25 μl 10× PCR buffer (HiFi Platinum Taq) ), 0.3 μl MgSO₄ (50 mM), 0.2 μl of a mix of each dCTP, dATP, dGTP and dTTP (2 mM each), 0.25 U engineered DNA polymerase (HiFi Platinum DNA Polymerase; Invitrogen) and 5 ng DNA fill to 3 μl with water. Cycling: 1. 94° C. 3 min, 2. 94° C. 20 sec, 3. 64° C. 30 sec, 4. 72° C. 30 sec, steps 2 to 4 are repeated 35 times, 5. 72° C. 5 min.

SAP Digest:

1.75 μl of 50 mM Tris-HCl and 0.25 μl SAP (USB corporation, Cleveland, USA) are to add to the PCR product and this has to be incubated for 60 min at 37° C., followed by an incubation at 90° C. for 10 min to denature the SAP enzyme.

Single Base Primer Extension:

To the SAP treated PCR product 2 μl of an extension mix is to add. This mix contains 15 mM MgCl₂, 0.1 mM of each of the four α-S-ddNTPs, 5 pmol of the extension primers set and 0.4 U of Thermosequenase. Cycling: 1. 94° C. 2 min, 2. 94° C. 15 sec, 3. 58° C. 20 sec, 4. 72° C. 20 sec, steps 2 to 4 are repeated 50 times.

PDE Digest:

To the extension product has to be added 0.5 ul 0.5 M acetic acid and 1.5 μl PDE (5.1 U) and incubate for at lease 120 min at 37° C.

Alkylation:

The alkylation is carried out by adding 21 μl of an alkylation mix and incubate for 15 min at 40° C. Th alkylation mix contains 377 parts water free acetonitrile, 15 parts of 2M triethylamine/CO₂ (pH ˜7.5), 75 parts 2 mM Tris-HCl and 174 parts of methyliodine.

The alkylation is to stopped by adding 10 μl deionised water. 5 μl of the resulting upper phase are to dilute in 10 μl 40% acetonitrile.

For MALDI target preparation and measurement with the MALDI mass spectrometer 0.5 μl of the final dilution are transferred onto a MALDI target pre-coated with matrix (α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid methyl ester). Measurement was carried out in a Bruker Autoflex with typically −18 kV acceleration voltage, pulsed ion extraction with a delay of 200 ns, and detection in linear detection mode. Results for CEPH family 1418 are shown in FIG. 6.

Example 2 HLA-DR Typing by the GOOD-Assay

A locus specific PCR for HLA-DRB is carried out. Therefore a set of allele-specific primers as listed below is used. These primers are published by J. Wu et al. in http://www.ihwg.org/tmanual/TMcontents.htm Chapter 10-B.

Name Sequence Amp1_DRB1_f20 5′-TTCTTGTGGSAGCTTAAGTT-3′ Amp2_DRB1_f21 5′-TTCCTGTGGCAGCCTAAGAGG-3′ Amp3_DRB1_f22 5′-CACGTTTCTTGGAGTACTCTAB-3′ Amp3-2_DRB1_f23 5′-CGTTTCTTGGAGTACTCTACGGG-3′ Amp3-3_DRB1_f23 5′-CGTTTCTTGGAGTACTCTACGTC-3′ Amp4_DRB1_f21 5′-GTTTCTTGGAGCAGGTTAAAC-3′ DR7_DRB1_f20 5′-CCTGTGGCAGGGTAARTATA-3′ DR9_DRB1_f18 5′-CCCAACCACGTTTCTTGA-3′ DR10_DRB1_f19 5′-AGACCACGTTTCTTGGAGG-3′ AmpB_DRB1_r18 5′-TCGCCGCTGCACYGTGAA-3′

This set of primers carries a high risk of co-amplifying genes for the other HLA-DRB chains, which results in unclear results. However, this is currently the best available option for the PCR of HLA-DRB1. In order to resolve the problem an additional mini-haplotyping test can be added. The mini-haplotyping assay HLA-DRB_(—)122-126 gives good resolution of HLA-DRB genes and allows the verification of results produced for typing of HLA-DRB1 PCR products. The identification of HLA-DRB1 genes is possible, as well as the identification of other amplified HLA-DRB genes which are present is possible. The set of primers listed below is used for the primer extension reaction. The details of the protocol are identical to example 1.

Masses Name Sequence CT Primer A C G T HLADR_1221_2f20 TGAAGAAATGACACTCAspTspG*spT 0 1487.5 — — — 1805.7 HLADR_1222_2f20 TGCAGAAATAGCACTCGspTspG*spT 0 1503.5 — — — 1821.7 HLADR_1223_2f20 TGAAGAAATGACACTCAspGspG*spT 0 1512.5 — — — 1830.7 HLADR_1224_2f20 TGAAGAAATGACACTTAspTspA*spT 0 1471.5 — — — 1789.7 HLADR_1225_2f20 TGAAGAAATGACACTCCspCspT*spC −14 1510.6 — — — 1814.8 HLADR_1226_2f20 TGAAGAAATRACACTCAspCspC*spC −28 1418.4 1717.7 1693.6 1733.7 — HLADR_1227_2f20 TGAAGAAATGACACTCAspTspA*spC −14 1456.5 — — — 1760.7 HLADR_1228_2f20 TGAAGAAWTGACACTCAspGspA*spC 0 1481.5 — — — 1799.7 HLADR_1229_2f20 TGAGGAAATGACACTCAspCspA*spC −14 1441.5 — — 1770.8 1745.7 HLADR_12210_2f20 TGAAGATATGACACTCAspCspA*spC −14 1441.5 — — 1770.8 1745.7 HLADR_12211_2f20 TGAAGAAATGACAYTCAspAspA*spC 0 1465.5 — — — 1783.7

Of the thirteen possible mini-haplotypes, four represent genes other than HLA-DRB1. The mini-haplotype GTGTT (1821.7 Da), AACAC in sense direction, represents with 100% certainty co-amplification of the HLA-DRB9 gene. The mini-haplotype ATACT (1760.8 Da), AGTAT in sense direction, represent either all HLA-DRB1*07 alleles (except HLA-DRB1*070102) or co-amplification of the HLA-DRB5 gene. The type TGTGT (1745.7 Da), AGTGT in sense direction, correspond to co-amplification or all variations of the HLA-DRB4 or HLA-DRB6 genes. Finally the type AGACT (1799.7 Da), AGTCT in sense direction, represent besides HLA-DRB1*1130 and HLA-DRB1*1446 also co-amplification of all variants of HLA-DRB3 and HLA-DRB7 genes. 

1. A method for HLA typing of HLA-A to generate subgroups A to O, by the unambiguous determination of short DNA sequence elements (2-6 bases) simultaneously on both parental alleles at a set of multiple selected positions in HLA-A gene, wherein the set of positions consists essentially of positions 98, 414, 539, 282, 571, 368, 256, 292, 238 and 270 (according to the numbering of the HLA-A gene starting at cDNA sequence position 1 of exon 1 as depicted in FIG. 1) comprising the steps for each position of: a) hybridizing a combination of oligonucleotides (primers) complementary to all known sequence variants to a DNA strand upstream of a given position; b) carrying out a primer extension reaction with at least one of the four dNTP substrates substituted by a terminating analog; c) analyzing the products by mass spectrometry which results in masses allowing unambiguous identification of the used primers and the added bases.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the DNA strand of step a) is produced by a DNA replication procedure such as PCR or rolling circle replication.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the combination of primers has slightly varying sequences so that all sequences of the haplotypes are represented by a perfectly matching primer.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein mass shifting tags are added to the individual primers sequences to make them uniquely distinguishable once the terminating base is added.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein distinguishable termination products for known alleles are generated by extending the perfectly hybridised primer with a combination of dNTPs and ddNTPs or analogs thereof with a DNA polymerase to generate specific termination products.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the GOOD assay is used.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein mass spectrometry selected from MALDI or ESI mass spectrometry is used for analysis of the masses of products.
 8. A method for HLA typing of HLA-A to achieve medium resolution, comprising: generating HLA-A subgroups A_O using the method of claim 1, and further analyzing positions 453, 527, 502, 81, 268, 559, 92, 123 and 396 (according to the numbering of the HLA-A gene starting at cDNA sequence position 1 of exon 1 as depicted in FIG. 1) to achieve medium resolution.
 9. A method for HLA typing HLA-A with high resolution, comprising: generating HLA-A subgroups A_O using the method of claim 1, further analyzing positions 224, 268, 376, 502, 561 and 616 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_A; positions 126 and 526 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_B; positions 81, 90, 92, 212, 214, 257, 265, 299, 302, 404, 420, 427, 453, 485, 489 and 502 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_C; positions 160, 200, 362 and 524 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_D; positions 180, 299, 301, 302, 346, 418, 453, 517, 524, 526, 527, 557, 559 and 560 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_E; positions 299, 301, 302, 341 and 583 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_F; positions 127, 341, 399, 480, 502, 503, 524, 526, 527, 553, 559, 560 and 565 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_G; positions 228, 233, 463, 519, 530 and 583 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_H; positions 102, 275, 317, 362, 418, 419, 497, 524, 555, 595 and 618 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_I; positions 92, 331, 453, 524, 559, 560 and 564 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_J; positions 78, 81, 123, 125, 142, 144, 194, 268, 294, 324, 355, 362, 396, 403, 419, 453, 456, 477, 493, 517, 524, 526, 527, 559 and 560 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_K; positions 113, 299, 301, 302, 308, 311, 523, 524 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_L; positions 171, 363, 498 and 559 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_M; positions 376, 426, 527, 555, 557 and 595 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_N; position 299 to resolve subgroup HLA-A_O.
 10. The method of HLA typing of HLA-A of claim 1 wherein the determination is for screening of tissue donors.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said donors are bone marrow donors in registries and said screening is screening for frequent and rare HLA types in said registries.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the primers are primers represented in Table IV. 